Project summary:
Population structures are changing. Developments in mass transportation and family structure are modifying the mixing patterns of humans, while changes in farming practices are having a similar effect for agricultural populations. Inevitably, these changes mean that pathogens are no longer perfectly adapted and evolutionary change is catalysed, leading to the proliferation of novel strains or the emergence of new diseases. It is important that we therefore understand the likely impact of these altered population structures on the evolution of pathogen behaviour and disease virulence. The aim of the project is to use mathematical modeling to examine how different social and spatial characteristics of populations shape the evolution of their diseases.
Key objectives:
1) To develop a new theory of the evolution of virulence and other disease characteristics in complex structured host populations.

2) To use data to characterize the structure of realistic contact networks in terms of key parameters and thereby determine the role of such parameters in the evolution of pathogenic disease.

3) To make predictions of the changes in virulence that may be expected as diseases adapt in response to current changes in social/spatial structure of the population.
Classical theory of the evolution of parasites are underpinned by homogeneous mixing models. However, the assumption of homogeneous mixing in host populations ignores the fact that certain individuals are more likely to contact and therefore infect others. Despite this, there is no current analytical theory of phenotypic evolution in spatially/socially explicit populations. Indeed, the inclusion of such structure has so far only been included in simulation approaches or via spatially implicit moment closure schemes. A better theoretical understanding is important since a precise quantitative description could be very useful for the prediction of new disease outbreaks and the control of emergent diseases. To achieve the objectives of the project, the student will develop a new dynamical extension of evolutionary theory appropriate to social/spatial populations.

_____________________________________________________________________
Dr Steven D. Webb tel: +44 (0)141 5483803
Department of Mathematics fax: +44 (0)141 5483345
University of Strathclyde email: sdw@maths.strath.ac.uk<mailto:sdw@maths.strath.ac.uk>
Livingstone Tower web: http://www.maths.strath.ac.uk/~aas07104/index.html
26 Richmond Street office: L9.14
Glasgow G1 1XH
Scotland, UK

PhD opportunity - October 2009

   Supervisor: Dr Ed Hollox

Fully-funded 3-year PhD studentship starting October 2009
Department of Genetics and College of Medicine and Biological Sciences
University Of Leicester

Gene copy number variation (CNV), where different numbers of the same gene are present in different
individuals, has been shown to be an important form of natural genomic variation. In humans it can affect the
susceptibility to certain common diseases, for example psoriasis and the susceptibility to HIV. Despite its
importance, the evolutionary history of copy number variable regions is not well understood. Copy number
variation may be an intermediate stage after gene duplication but before the evolution of new gene function, yet
several gene families appear to be copy number variable across several species, suggesting that copy number
polymorphism has been maintained for a long time.
For example, several members of the beta-defensin family of genes are copy number variable in humans and
dogs, two species that diverged between 90 and 100 million years ago. We have studied these beta-defensin
genes for several years. They are multifunctional: they are antibacterial and antiviral in many species, have
immune cell signalling activity in humans, control coat colour in dogs, and are a key component of platypus
venom. Because of their role in several biological processes, they are thought to be involved in a number of
different human diseases. They provide an example of a gene family that has acquired different functions in
several different species in response to the environment.
This project will involve examining beta-defensin copy number variation in several different mammalian species
in order to try and understand the evolutionary history and processes affecting these genes. We have
assembled a network of collaborators from California, Cambridge, Ohio and elsewhere for this project.
Experience of molecular genetic methods and an interest in evolutionary biology would be an advantage.

Eligibility: To be eligible a candidate must hold an academic qualification of at least an Upper Second Class
degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, and be a UK or EU national or have a UK permanent residency visa.
Information for online applications: www.le.ac.uk/graduateoffice/hdapplyonline.html
Further details on the university: www.youtube.com/user/UniversityLeicester
Informal enquires: ejh33@le.ac.uk
Further reading: Hurles et al. (2008) Trends in Genetics, 24, 238
Hollox et al. (2008) Genome Research 18, 1686

This position will focus on models of niche evolution through the development of Bayesian models to estimate how niche parameters of species are evolving through time and lineages. The project will also generate molecular data to complement actual Restionaceae phylogenetic trees. This student?s primary location will be in the Salamin lab at the University of Lausanne (http://www.unil.ch/phylo).


Applications MUST be received no later than Sunday, May 31, 2009.

Interviews to be held fourth week in June. Start date in September,
2009.

For further information about the SPEED project:



http://www.wsl.ch/projects/SPEED



Please contact Peter B. Pearman or the relevant person linked to your
interest. The SPEED project proposal is available to interested
applicants upon request.



To apply, send the following materials, as separate PDF files:

1. PDF of cover letter, addressed to The SPEED Search Committee,
indicating

--position applied for

--your career goals

--your research interests in context of the SPEED project

--a detail of how the previous experience and skills shown in
your CV prepare you specifically for the position for which you are
applying

2. PDF of CV, complete, showing contact information, title of thesis
and dissertation, date, universities, research experience, notable
skills, advanced courses, publication list, posters and talks
presented, awards, service, etc

3. PDF of the abstract of your Masters thesis or Ph.D. dissertation
research

4. PDF of university report of coursework, showing grades and degrees
earned (must be in English)

5+. PDF's of published papers and papers in-press.



Send application as e-mail with attachments, with the following
subject line



SPEED Project (and insert position applied for: evolutionary modeling,
population genetics,or post-doc)



Send a separate e-mail, cover letter (PDF), and other PDF documents
for each position applied for (if more than one) to:



sibylle.hauser@wsl.ch



Don?t forget the deadline!

Résumé : *La dynamique des communautés microbiennes observée expérimentalement

en bioréacteurs est extrêmement rapide, entrainant une divergence rapide des

communautés, alors que les conditions opératoires sont strictement contrôlées.

La modélisation basée sur des équations différentielles de compétition pour des

ressources ne prend pas en compte cette information. Ces observations

expérimentales suggèrent au contraire l'utilisation de modèles stochastiques.

Les modèles neutres en écologie des communautés ont récemment été développés,

intégrant une part de stochasticité dans la dynamique des communautés. Le

postulat de base de cette théorie est que toutes les espèces sont

fonctionnellement équivalentes, et que la diversité observée localement (ou

globalement à plus grande échelle) est la résultante d'un équilibre stochastique

entre l'immigration locale (ou la spéciation à plus grande échelle) et de

l'extinction d'espèces. Bien que ces hypothèses de départ soient biologiquement

sans fondement, elles permettent de construire des modèles globaux qui sont

capables de reproduire des structurations écologiques observées dans la nature.

Des études récentes suggèrent que ces modèles seraient adaptés aux communautés

microbiennes. Le véritable challenge est de départager l'importance relative de

l'hypothèse de neutralité et des facteurs environnementaux dans la dynamique des

communautés microbiennes. Cette question centrale sera objet de ce travail de

thèse, et sera étudiée d'un point de vue théorique et expérimental.

* Lieu* : Laboratoire de Biotechnologie de l'Environnement, INRA Narbonne

http://www.montpellier.inra.fr/narbonne

* Personnes à contacter* :

Jean-Jacques GODON, INRA, LBE, Avenue des Etangs, 11100 Narbonne

godon@supagro.inra.fr Tel : 04 68 42 51 54

Jérôme Hamelin, INRA, LBE, Avenue des Etangs, 11100 Narbonne

hamelin@supagro.inra.fr Tel : 04 68 42 51 56

*Rationale
*Agricultural intensification is known to greatly influence biodiversity
and multitrophic interactions, but the relative contribution of herbs
and grasses to functional biodiversity is less understood.
In a multidisciplinary approach with plant ecologists, soil ecologists
and phytopathologists, we characterize insect responses to
fertilization, mowing and herb-grass composition in a highly replicated
common-garden experiment. The experiment is laid out as a Latin Square
with 72 plots, each 15x15 m in size.
Management and plant community effects will be characterized by insect
samples, quantification of herbivory and experimental phytometer studies
addressing responses of pollinators, herbivores and predators. (see
Tscharntke et al. 2005, Ecology Letters 8: 857-874; Kruess & Tscharntke
2002, Conservation Biology 16: 1570-1580, Biological Conservation 104:
275-284).

*Requirements
*MSc or Diploma degree in biology or agriculture or related disciplines.
Knowledge in plant-insect interactions and insect communities is desirable.
Interest in independent research.

*Salary and conditions*
Salary is 1100 Euro per month. Start date: as soon as possible (e.g.,
May 1, 2009). The position is for three years.
The doctoral thesis will be done as a series of English manuscripts.

*Applications*
Applicants should send their CV, including a short summary of research
interests, and the names (with email address) of two references to the
addresses given below (per email) as soon as possible.
For further information, please contact
Dr. Christoph Scherber, Agroecology, University of Goettingen, Waldweg
26, D-37073 Goettingen, Tel. +49-551-398807, Fax +49-551-398806,
email: christoph.scherber@agr.uni-goettingen.de and
Prof. Teja Tscharntke (same address), Tel. +49-551-399209,
email: ttschar@gwdg.de